620:Unable to handle pressure- around 20 Random Guesses !!!

Question

I took GMAT on 23rd Oct '09.  I don't have any excuse for my failure  - I am not yet ready, because I am unable to handle pressure.

Lesson learned : It's more improtant to be calm during the test.

I was well prepared and confident - Last 4 GMATPrep Scores : 
GMATPrep 1: 710 
GMATPrep 2: 670
GMATPrep 1: 740 
GMATPrep 2: 710

Actual Test : AWA went pretty well !!

8 minutes break.

Maths section : 
Around 15-20 minutes passed, the guy sitting next to me was making too much noise of keyboard, I was unable to concentrate, I raised my hand and asked for ear plugs. 
The exam admin told me that she has to check and then she said "we don't have any" - I was very disappointed!!! (Wasted my 2-3 minutes).
I started to feel very irritated !!! and finally made 2 guesses to catch up time.
Started to get very easy questions - at this point I felt very nervous and lost control over my test. 
I was unable to do calculations made at least 5 random guesses and ended math section.

8 minutes break - felt very disheartened !!!!

Verbal section :
Nothing was going right - I was unable to concentrate and was thinking about my maths section.
I was able to read but understand nothing - as if it was foreign language that I don't know. 
Made atleast 15 guesses at the end !!!

I was expecting around 550 - 560, but ended up scoring 620 (71 percentile) - M44 V31.

AWA 5.0

Planning to retake after 2 months.

Snowingreen · Answer

Sorry to hear that .Wish you good luck for the next one .

with 15 guesses you have scored 30 in Verbal .little more patience would have fetched you more .

Lesson learnt. good luck .

bmwhype2 · Answer

should not have guessed. its a CAT so each time u guess, there's a 80% chance that your next question will be of a lower capacity question

gmatjon · Answer

I was irritated by the noise of my neighbor's keyboard as well, while taking the test. Luckily they had air plugs, so I used them.
I did a lot of guessing looks like too, upon being frustrated by my math section.
I will retake it in few months as well. Good luck!

bb · Answer

Oh man! That's terrible
Would recommend you dont wait for 2 months but instead go in sooner - your practice scores are solid, so you have nothing to worry about (except another loud neighbor). I know it feels miserable, but pick it up and go end of November - you are likely to score higher and get rid of GMAT sooner. The longer you wait, the more you forget from what you have learned previously. I forgot almost half of what I learned just a few weeks after my test. Don't wait.

Spoilt · Answer

Thanks bb!

Good advice, I think you are right - The longer we wait, the more we forget .

Little more practice and I am almost there. Will take at the end of November.

Spoilt · Answer

I feel sorry for you !! I understand under pressure when you are frustrated, you are likely to take wrong decisions.
Best of luck for GMAT reloaded.

shadow · Answer

that's unfortunate, but as you made mention of in your original post - there can be no excuses. to beat the gmat, you have to be ready for anything - noise, heat, cold, flickering screens. if youre confident enough going in, then none of these minor things should bother you.

your practice scores looked solid enough. just work on the intangibles (confidence in yourself mainly) before you take the test again, and you should do fine.

vicksikand · Answer

Thats really unfortunate, I can relate to what you went through - I am somewhat finicky about noise too. I cant tolerate too much noise and not having ear plugs would be a major negative. Good luck with your retest. "Keep on truckin"

jzd · Answer

Having had taken 2 GMAT and 1 UPT with kaplan, this is my observation.

Usually there are 2 test sessions in a day, one at 8am and one at 12am (I have seen 5pm appointments). Let's say you showed up for the 8am session, DO NOT be the first one into the test room.

Why?

Because when you enter the room later and start to do the AWA, some earlier people are now finishing up the AWA and starting the Quant section.

When you get to the Quant section, there will be no one else doing the AWA, hence no noise distraction from typing. I know it is kinda selfish but that is just a personal observation.

I can't give you advice on how to score well though because I struggle with the GMAT

vicksikand · Answer

Jz, when you say "dont be the first one...." do you mean one rather stay out for a few minutes or just slip to the end of the line. In my opinion, I'd rather be early than miss out on test time or be disqualified for being late.

jzd · Answer

vicksikand

I mean the test center opens the door at 730a for 8am appointment. As soon as the door opens, people lined up to get the number tag to be called. What I am saying is instead of getting tag #5, get tag #17. You are already there before 8am, it is just a matter of lining up to get the number tag. They can't penalize you if there are 20 people who signed up for 8am appointment and they can't work fast enough to get you into the test room by 8am because there are 20 people in front of you....

Yes I guess I mean slip to the end of the line....

vicksikand · Answer

Thats a good suggestion, with one pitfall - when you are nearing the end of your Verbal section most of the people maybe getting up, shifting or moving around the room. Personally I can handle people shifting around when I have 30 minutes to answer 1 Q, however to me the last few minutes on the Verbal section would be more crucial than the first few on the AWA. 
Nevertheless,point well taken JZ!

jzd · Answer

no vicksikand

The point of doing this is that when you start the Quant section, there would be no one else typing because they are already in quant.

Yes the concern at the end of the test is valid. B

vicksikand · Answer

Agreed. Its a double-edged sword, you may have to give up Quant "serenity" for Verbal "peace" or vice-versa. I hope my test center has ear plugs(in fact I will call them tomorrow and ask them about it) and I wouldnt be in this position.

VS

VS

Spoilt · Answer

agree with you - My appointment time was 2 PM . I reached early, so was allowed to take test 45 minutes before the schedule time, So when I was solving Maths / Verbal - person next to me was typing AWA. Next time I won't forget to take my own air plugs.

Spoilt · Answer

Take your own air plugs, I think they will allow you, if they don't have it.

vicksikand · Answer

I would think the use of ear plugs not provided by the center maybe termed as "unfair means/advantage" but you have a valid suggestion - I would follow up with the authorities.

gmatjon · Answer

They do not allow anything into the testing room, that is why i doubt they will let you have your own airplugs.

Spoilt · Answer

Yes - I confirmed - You own air plugs will not be allowed. In fact you can only keep your passport with you, nothing else.

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620:Unable to handle pressure- around 20 Random Guesses !!!

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